Lindsey Vonn Suffers Serious Injury in Women’s Downhill Final at Milano-Cortina Olympics

She tried everything, challenged herself, challenged her age, even tried to defy injury - but she could not defy fate. 

The fate that was seemingly written a week before the start of the Olympic Games, with a complete ACL tear, or perhaps even marked by starting with the unlucky number 13.

And as if in irony, just 13 seconds into her run in the women’s Downhill final at the Milano Cortina Olympics, Lindsey Vonn, one of the greatest skiers in the history of the sport, fell, suffering what could be another very serious injury.

The 41-year-old, who had bravely returned to competition after a previous ACL injury, fell hard on the course, suffering what appears to be a severe injury to both knees and a possible head impact.

The race was immediately stopped, and Vonn received first aid from the U.S. team medical staff before being airlifted to a hospital. The Alpine Skiing Centre fell silent as the shocking incident unfolded, leaving even live commentators stunned.

Foto: Tanjug/ AP/ Marco Trovati

Vonn’s aggressive start showed her determination, yet her left knee-the one injured in her last World Cup race in Crans-Montana - was a visible point of concern. Despite her efforts to make a third comeback in alpine skiing, fate struck at the most crucial moment.

Lindsey Vonn’s career is legendary: Three Olympic medals, including gold in Vancouver 2010, 84 World Cup victories, and 145 podiums. 

She had announced that the Milano-Cortina Games would mark the end of her professional skiing career. This devastating fall may now mark the conclusion of an extraordinary journey in the sport.

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